The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Large Ships) Regulations 1998

Windows and sidescuttles

61.—(1) All windows and sidescuttles in bulkheads within accommodation and service spaces and control stations other than those to which regulations 58(8) and 59(3) apply, shall be constructed so as to preserve the integrity requirements of the type of bulkheads in which they are fitted.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements of the Tables set out in Schedules 1 and 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1667 as appropriate the following shall apply—

(a)all windows and sidescuttles in bulkheads separating accommodation and service spaces and control stations from weather shall be constructed with frames of steel or other suitable materials; the glass shall be retained by a metal glazing bead or angle; and

(b)except in the case of ships built on or after 1st October 1994 carrying more than 36 passengers, the fire integrity of windows facing open or enclosed lifeboat and liferaft embarkation areas and of windows situated below such areas in such a position that their failure during a fire would impede the launching of, or embarkation into, lifeboats or liferafts shall be such that any potential fire hazard is kept to a minimum.

(3) In the case of a ship constructed on or after 1st October 1994, carrying more than 36 passengers, windows facing life-saving appliances, lifeboat and liferaft embarkation and muster areas, external stairs and open decks used for escape routes, and windows situated below liferaft and escape slide embarkation areas shall have fire integrity as required in Table 5 of Schedule 1 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1667. Where automatic sprinkler heads are provided for such windows, and where windows are located in the ship’s side below the lifeboat embarkation areas they shall have fire integrity at least to “A-0” Standard.